A practical approach to animal models of sepsis

Abstract

The underlying mechanisms active during the pathogenesis of sepsis are not clearly defined; however, several animal models of sepsis have been used in an attempt to understand these complex cellular and molecular interactions that result in disease. There are three general categories of sepsis models, the host barrier disruption model, the chemical shock model, and the exogenous infection model. Host barrier disruption sepsis models initiate infection with the release of endogenous bacteria into normally sterile compartments. The chemical shock model employs intravenous or intraperitoneal administration of a toll-like receptor (TLR) agent, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS or endotoxin) or zymosan, to initiate a state of proinflammatory cytokine-induced shock. The exogenous infection model of sepsis utilizes administration of an exogenous viable pathogen, typically bacteria, directly (by an intravenous or intraperitoneal route) into the host. Each of these models has particular strengths and weaknesses with respect to their ability to mimic the clinical progression of sepsis in human patients. © 2008 Humana Press Inc.